Welcome Nathan

This past week has been a wild whirlwind of activity. Thursday afternoon we anxiously awaited our out-of-town guests. Grandpa Leo and Babci arrived first and met Nathan for the first time. Not long after, Uncle Joey laid eyes on his as well as Grandma Jo and Pop. Pop was very excited to be back again so soon I could tell! Big Leo was kind enough to bring some NY pizza down so our dinner was easy. We kinda just hung out for a while enjoying the company, passing our sleeping angel around the room.

Friday was a busy day of outside activity. My Dad fulfilled his promise of gutters on the house and Joanne was busy improving our front yard with plants and mulch. It looks fantastic after a long day of work. The rain threatened to come down so cleanup started early. But it was great because we got to gather around the screen door to see how that gutter job worked out. What a bunch of dorks. But hey, they work!

Saturday was going to be busy from beginning to end so I got up early to get ready. I actually found a pair of pre-pregnancy pants I could wrangle into. Hooray! Joanne was wonderful, cleaning the house for guests. (THANKS!!!) Mom and Ed came with Aunt Kate & Uncle Larry. They bought lunch and a fantastic carrot cake for the afternoon (THANKS!!!) and Kate got to spend some time with Nathan for the first time.

The rest of the crowd soon arrived. Then our officiants who married Leo and I (two years ago to the weekend - the Saturday before Easter!) arrived as well. It was nice to see them and they were genuinely happy to be there. Becky preformed a little ceremony to welcome Nathan to our family.

It sounds all nice and simple as I retell it now but the planning of this weekend wasn't. We weren't sure how to welcome Nathan into the world. Not being very religious, Leo and I wanted to do something special but different. Turns out we made the perfect choice. Becky offered special readings and rituals - we did the sand thing again like at our wedding and poured a new color along with ours to symbolize ours lives mingled with Nate's. It was really cool to continue our own unique tradition. My mom and dad each wrote something to be read during the ceremony as well which was more amazing than words can say.

If you know me, you can guess that I was pretty emotional. Well, it was nothing until the words my parents wrote were read. There were several boxes of tissues being passed around the room. It was perfect.

The day finally wound down. It was a long one. But Nathan was perfect for it of course. He slept in the arms of all his admirers and woke at the end of the ceremony part for just a minute. Then back to sleep he went!

Saunday Joanne and I took Nate to Lake Lynn for a nice long walk on a perfectly sunny day. This is something I look forward to doing often, and a necessity if I'm going to be my cute little self again someday. (Remember I said I wrangled into those pants, I didn't slide right in!) The boys did some work on the side of the house and Babci enjoyed the sun. In the evening we enjoyed a little Easter dinner and enjoyed our last evening together before the Keplers returned north Monday morning. Monday evening we had one last dinner with the Trend side before they too set off for Route 95.

And we have a couple days to ourselves as a family until more guests filter through. Yes - another uncle wil soon be present when Tim & Jen come tomorrow. Yay! As crazy as it all is we are so happy that everyone has made the effort to come meet Nathan. He is so loved!

Oh yes, the latest development . . . my little baby is less a newborn than he was yesterday. His little umbilical cord stump fell off! Yay for bathtime finally! That is on the agenda tonight. Stay tuned for those pictures!